Vyepti (eptinezumab-jjmr) is a prescription brand-name medication. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help prevent migraine episodes in adults. Vyepti is meant to be used as a long-term treatment.

Here are some fast facts about Vyepti:

  • Active ingredient: eptinezumab-jjmr
  • Drug class: calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonist
  • Drug form: solution inside vials, given by a healthcare professional as an IV infusion
  • FDA approval year: 2020

Like other drugs, Vyepti can cause side effects. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Vyepti, see this article.

Vyepti can cause certain adverse effects (side effects), some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Vyepti in clinical trials:

  • infusion-related side effects
  • infection of the throat and nose

For more information about these side effects, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Vyepti use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Vyepti’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Vyepti include:

  • infusion-related side effects
  • infection of the throat and nose

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To learn more about these side effects, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while using Vyepti and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Vyepti may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Vyepti’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while using Vyepti, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported include allergic reaction*, which is described in “Side effect specifics” below.

* An allergic reaction is possible after using Vyepti. But it’s not clear whether serious allergic reactions occurred in clinical trials.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Vyepti may cause.

Infusion-related side effects

Infusion-related side effects are possible with Vyepti. These are side effects that happen during or shortly after your Vyepti IV infusion. (An IV infusion is an injection given into a vein over time.)

Mild infusion-related side effects were common in clinical trials of Vyepti. Examples include skin rash, hives, and flushing.

In rare cases, Vyepti may cause severe infusion-related reactions, including:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

If you have any infusion-related side effects while receiving Vyepti, talk with the healthcare professional who’s giving you the infusion right away. If the side effects are mild, they may temporarily stop your Vyepti infusion. They or your doctor can advise you on ways to ease your symptoms.

Be sure to talk with your doctor if you have severe infusion-related reactions from Vyepti. They’ll likely prescribe a different treatment for your condition.

Infection of the throat and nose

Vyepti may cause an infection of the throat and nose. This was the most common side effect in clinical trials of the drug. Many people refer to this infection as the common cold.

Symptoms of a throat and nose infection include:

What you can do

If you have symptoms of a throat and nose infection, it’s recommended that you rest and stay hydrated. You can also talk with your doctor about ways to ease your symptoms. They can suggest over-the-counter (OTC) medications that may be helpful.

But be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any OTC medications. They’ll make sure these are safe to take in combination with Vyepti.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Vyepti can cause an allergic reaction in some people. In clinical trials, most allergic reactions occurred during Vyepti infusions* and were not serious. However, they often lead to stopping the drug or required treatment.

Serious allergic reactions may occur with Vyepti. They can also can happen after receiving Vyepti. Cases of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) have also been reported after the drug was FDA-approved.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

* For more information, see “Infusion-related side effects” above.

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep using Vyepti. But if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Vyepti may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Is weight gain a side effect of Vyepti?

No, Vyepti isn’t likely to cause weight gain. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials of the drug.

But other drugs used to help prevent migraine episodes may have weight gain as a side effect. An example is propranolol.

If you’re concerned about weight gain while using Vyepti, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to maintain a moderate weight.

Is fatigue a side effect of Vyepti?

No, Vyepti isn’t known to cause fatigue. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials of the drug.

But keep in mind that migraine episodes can cause a variety of symptoms. This includes fatigue. Vyepti is used to help prevent migraine, so you may have this symptom while using the drug. But Vyepti itself may not cause fatigue.

If you have fatigue while using Vyepti, talk with your doctor. They can help you decide if the drug causes this symptom, or if it may be a symptom of a migraine episode.

Does Vyepti cause any digestive side effects, such as nausea?

Most likely, no. Vyepti isn’t known to cause digestive side effects. These weren’t reported in clinical trials of the drug.

However, other drugs used to help prevent migraine episodes may cause digestive side effects. For example, nausea is a common side effect of topiramate (Topamax).

It’s important to note that migraine itself can cause digestive problems, such as nausea and vomiting. Since Vyepti is used to help prevent migraine episodes, you may have digestive problems while using the drug. But it’s possible that migraine may cause these side effects rather than Vyepti itself.

If you have digestive side effects while using Vyepti, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the cause of your symptoms and suggest ways to ease them.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before using Vyepti. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Vyepti or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Vyepti. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Alcohol use with Vyepti

There aren’t any known safety issues with drinking alcohol while using Vyepti.

However, drinking alcohol can trigger a migraine episode for some people. Vyepti is used to help prevent migraine episodes. So, if you know alcohol is a migraine trigger for you, it may be best to avoid drinking it while using Vyepti.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much is safe for you to consume during treatment with Vyepti.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while using Vyepti

It is unknown if Vyepti is safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or are considering either, talk with your doctor before starting Vyepti treatment. They can discuss the risks and benefits of using Vyepti during these times.

As with most medications, Vyepti may cause mild or serious side effects. Most of the drug’s side effects are mild and should lessen with time.

Be sure to talk with your doctor if you have any bothersome side effects from Vyepti. They can suggest ways to ease your symptoms and advise if it’s safe for you to keep using Vyepti.

If you’d like to learn more about Vyepti, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.